Revised Syllabus - Class IX & X - English Language and Literature - Code No. 184 (2020-21) CBSE

Class XII - English - Flamingo - Deep Water - Notes

CBSE Class XII | English Core | Flamingo | Chapter 3

Deep Water: Summary, Explanation and NCERT Solutions

By William O. Douglas | Chapter summary, question answers, vocabulary, literary devices and exam preparation.

Class 12 English Flamingo Prose NCERT Solutions Important Questions

Contents

1. About the Author
2. Notice These Expressions
3. Summary of Deep Water
4. Think as You Read
5. Understanding the Text
6. Talking About the Text
7. Thinking About Language
8. Writing and Speaking Activities
9. Extra Questions and Answers
10. Multiple-Choice Questions
11. Teacher's Insight
12. Tips for Exams
13. Quick Revision

About the Author

William O. Douglas (1898–1980) was an American writer, lawyer and judge. He was born in Maine, Minnesota, and later studied at Whitman College and Columbia Law School. He served as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1939 to 1975. His thirty-six years on the Court made him its longest-serving Justice.

Deep Water is an extract from his autobiographical book Of Men and Mountains. In this account, Douglas describes how a frightening childhood experience made him afraid of water. He then explains how he trained himself to swim and slowly overcame his fear.

The chapter is not just about swimming. It is also about the way fear can control a person's life and how patience, practice and determination can help a person face it.

Notice These Expressions in the Text

Infer the meaning of each expression from its use in the chapter.

Expression	Meaning
Treacherous	Dangerous and likely to cause harm.
Subdued my pride	Controlled one's pride or embarrassment.
Flailed at the surface	Moved one's arms and legs wildly in the water.
Fishing for landlocked salmon	Catching salmon in a lake rather than in the sea.
Misadventure	An unfortunate or frightening incident.
Bob to the surface like a cork	Rise to the surface of the water quickly and easily.
Curtain of life fell	Lose consciousness and seem to pass out of life.
Back and forth across the pool	From one end of the pool to the other, repeatedly.

Summary of Deep Water

1. Douglas's Early Fear of Water

William Douglas wanted to learn swimming when he was about ten or eleven years old. His mother had warned him about the Yakima River because it was dangerous. He therefore chose the swimming pool at the Y.M.C.A. in Yakima, where the shallow end was only two or three feet deep and the deep end was nine feet deep.

His fear of water had begun much earlier. When he was three or four, his father took him to a beach in California. The waves knocked him down and swept over him. Although his father laughed, Douglas felt frightened by the force of the water.

2. The Misadventure at the Y.M.C.A. Pool

Douglas was beginning to feel more comfortable in the pool when an older, strong boy came in and threw him into the deep end. Douglas landed in a sitting position and sank to the bottom. He planned to push himself upwards when his feet touched the tiles, reach the surface and swim to the edge.

His plan failed. He rose slowly, swallowed water and could not breathe properly. He tried to shout, but no sound came out. His arms and legs became stiff with fear. He sank again and again, struggling to reach the surface. At last, he lost consciousness.

When he came round, he was lying beside the pool and vomiting. The boy who had thrown him in said that he had only been fooling, but another person pointed out that Douglas had nearly died. The incident left Douglas weak, frightened and unable to eat properly that night.

3. How Fear Affected His Life

For years, Douglas remained afraid of water. Whenever he tried to enter a river or lake, the old terror returned. His fear stopped him from enjoying fishing, canoeing, boating and swimming. He felt that it was a handicap that prevented him from living freely.

4. Training to Become a Swimmer

Douglas finally decided to overcome his fear. He hired an instructor and practised five days a week for an hour each day. The instructor first used a belt and rope to keep him safe while he moved across the pool. Later, he taught Douglas how to breathe in the water and how to use his legs. He taught each skill separately before asking Douglas to combine them.

The training took months. Slowly, Douglas learned to swim, but he was not yet sure that his fear had disappeared. He continued to swim alone and face the small waves of panic that sometimes returned.

5. The Final Victory

Douglas tested himself in Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire. He swam two miles across the lake and tried different strokes. The old terror returned briefly when he looked into the deep water, but he challenged it and continued swimming.

He later went to Warm Lake and swam across it and back. This time, he felt sure that he had conquered his fear. He realised that fear, rather than water itself, had been controlling him. The experience made him value life more deeply.

Main idea: Fear can limit our lives, but it can be overcome through steady practice, courage and determination. Douglas does not defeat his fear in a single moment. He faces it step by step until it loses its power over him.

Think as You Read

These are very short-answer questions. Answer each in one or two clear sentences unless the question asks for more detail.

1. What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?

Answer:

An older boy threw Douglas into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. Douglas sank, struggled to breathe and nearly drowned.

Suggested length: 20–25 words.

2. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?

Answer:

Douglas first felt frightened, then panicked and helpless as he struggled to breathe. He planned to jump from the bottom, rise to the surface, lie flat and paddle to the edge.

Suggested length: 30–40 words.

3. How did this experience affect him?

Answer:

The experience left Douglas weak and tearful. He lost his appetite and developed a lasting fear of water, which stopped him from enjoying swimming, boating and fishing.

Suggested length: 25–35 words.

Understanding the Text

1. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

Answer:

Douglas describes the yellow water, his burning lungs, his pounding head and his stiff arms and legs. He tries to shout, but no sound comes out. He sinks again and again and cannot find a rope or ladder. The repeated descriptions of sinking, suffocation and terror help readers understand his panic. His body seems unable to obey him, and he finally loses consciousness.

2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Answer:

Douglas hired an instructor and practised swimming regularly. The instructor used a belt and rope at first, then taught him breathing, leg movements and swimming strokes one by one. Douglas continued practising even after he learned to swim. He tested himself in pools and lakes until he was sure that fear no longer controlled him.

3. What does Douglas mean when he says, “The instructor was finished, but I was not finished”?

Answer:

The instructor had taught Douglas how to swim, but Douglas still feared that the old terror might return when he was alone in the water. He therefore continued practising by himself and testing his courage in lakes. He wanted to be sure that he had overcome his fear, not merely learned swimming skills.

4. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Answer:

Douglas swam alone in the pool and later crossed Lake Wentworth, using different swimming strokes. When the old terror returned in the middle of the lake, he challenged it and continued swimming. He then swam across Warm Lake and back. This final test convinced him that he had conquered his fear.

Talking About the Text

1. “All we have to fear is fear itself”. Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome? Share your experience with your partner.

Sample answer:

I used to feel nervous when speaking in front of the class. I was afraid that I would forget my words or make mistakes. I began practising at home and speaking in front of a few friends. Gradually, I became more confident. I still feel nervous sometimes, but I no longer allow fear to stop me from speaking. This experience has taught me that regular practice can help us face our fears.

This is a model response. Students should share their own experiences where possible.

2. Find and narrate other stories about people who have overcome their fears.

Sample answer:

A student may be afraid of mathematics because of repeated failures. With the help of a teacher, the student begins with simple problems and practises every day. Slowly, the student learns to solve harder questions and gains confidence. The fear does not disappear at once, but regular effort makes it easier to face. Like Douglas, the student learns that fear can be reduced through patient practice.

Thinking About Language

1. Look at the verbs in italics in the sentences from the chapter. In which of the sentences is the verb in the present tense?

The sentences below show the main tense pattern used in the chapter. Check the italicised verbs in your prescribed NCERT edition for the exact exercise wording.

1. “I had decided to learn to swim.” — Past perfect.
2. “The water was still.” — Simple past.
3. “I practise swimming regularly.” — Simple present.
4. “The instructor taught me to breathe.” — Simple past.

Answer:

The sentence with “practise” is in the simple present tense. It describes a regular action.

2. Find the sentences in the chapter that use the past perfect tense.

Answer: The past perfect is formed with had + past participle. It shows that an action happened before another past action. Examples from the chapter include:

• “I had decided to learn to swim.”
• “I had not been there long when in came a big bruiser of a boy.”
• “I had lost all my breath.”
• “I had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it can produce.”

Use the exact sentences in your textbook when completing the exercise. The examples above illustrate the tense and its use.

3. What is the difference between “fear of water” and “fear of drowning”?

Answer:

“Fear of water” means feeling afraid of water itself or of being near it. “Fear of drowning” means being afraid of sinking under water and being unable to breathe. Douglas's fear began with a frightening experience in water and became a fear of drowning.

4. Why does the writer use repetition in the description of the accident?

Answer:

The writer repeats ideas about sinking, fear and struggling to breathe. This makes the reader feel how long and frightening the experience seemed to Douglas. The repetition also shows that he felt trapped and unable to escape.

Writing and Speaking Activities

1. Write a paragraph on the importance of facing one's fears.

Sample answer

Fear is a natural feeling, but it can stop us from doing things that matter to us. Some students fear speaking in public, while others fear failure or trying something new. We can learn to manage these fears by understanding their causes and taking small steps. Practice, patience and support from others can help us feel more confident. We should not take careless risks, especially when our safety is involved. Instead, we should prepare well and seek help when needed. Douglas's story shows that courage does not mean having no fear. It means facing fear in a safe and sensible way.

2. Imagine that you are interviewing William Douglas after he has conquered his fear of water. Write five questions and answers.

Sample interview

Interviewer: What first made you afraid of water?

Douglas: I was frightened by waves when I was a small child. Later, a boy threw me into the deep end of a swimming pool, and I nearly drowned.

Interviewer: How did the accident affect you?

Douglas: I became afraid of water and avoided swimming, boating and fishing.

Interviewer: What made you decide to learn swimming again?

Douglas: I wanted to enjoy life without being controlled by fear.

Interviewer: How did your instructor help you?

Douglas: He taught me each skill separately and helped me practise until I became more confident.

Interviewer: What did you learn from this experience?

Douglas: I learned that patience, practice and determination can help us overcome fear.

Extra Questions and Answers

1. Why did Douglas choose the Y.M.C.A. pool instead of the Yakima River?

Answer:

His mother had warned him that the Yakima River was dangerous. The Y.M.C.A. pool seemed safer because it had a shallow end and a gradual slope towards the deep end.

2. What was the role of Douglas's instructor in helping him overcome his fear?

Answer:

The instructor trained Douglas step by step. He first used a belt and rope to help him practise safely. Then he taught him breathing, leg movements and swimming strokes until Douglas could swim on his own.

3. Why did Douglas continue practising after his instructor said he could swim?

Answer:

Douglas was still afraid that panic might return when he was alone. He continued practising to test himself and make sure that the old terror no longer controlled him.

4. What is the meaning of “All we have to fear is fear itself” in the context of the chapter?

Answer:

The quotation suggests that fear can sometimes be more limiting than the danger itself. Douglas learns that fear can stop him from enjoying life. By facing it carefully and repeatedly, he gains freedom and confidence.

5. How does the chapter show the value of determination?

Answer:

Douglas does not give up after his frightening experience. He hires an instructor, practises regularly and tests himself in different places. His steady effort helps him overcome a fear that had troubled him for years.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Choose the correct answer for each question. The answer key is given at the end.

1. At what age did Douglas decide to learn swimming?

1. Three or four years
2. Ten or eleven years
3. Fourteen or fifteen years
4. Sixteen or seventeen years

2. Why did Douglas avoid the Yakima River?

1. It was too far from his home.
2. It was closed to children.
3. His mother had warned him about its dangers.
4. He had no time to visit it.

3. Who threw Douglas into the deep end of the pool?

1. A swimming instructor
2. An older, strong boy
3. His father
4. A lifeguard

4. What did Douglas plan to do when his feet touched the bottom?

1. Wait until someone came to help
2. Hold his breath and remain still
3. Jump upwards and paddle to the edge
4. Walk along the bottom of the pool

5. How did the accident affect Douglas?

1. He immediately became a strong swimmer.
2. He developed a lasting fear of water.
3. He stopped going to school.
4. He forgot the incident soon afterwards.

6. How often did Douglas practise with his instructor?

1. Once a week for two hours
2. Every day for three hours
3. Five days a week for an hour each day
4. Twice a month for an hour

7. What did the instructor use at first to help Douglas practise?

1. A belt and rope
2. A wooden board
3. A rubber boat
4. A pair of flippers

8. Why did Douglas swim across Lake Wentworth?

1. To take part in a race
2. To reach a fishing boat
3. To test whether his old fear had gone
4. To meet his swimming instructor

9. What is the main theme of the chapter?

1. The need to avoid all risks
2. The value of wealth and success
3. The importance of facing fear with effort and practice
4. The dangers of travelling alone

10. What does Douglas finally gain?

1. Freedom from his fear of water
2. A job as a swimming instructor
3. A medal for swimming
4. A new home near a lake

Answer Key

1. b | 2. c | 3. b | 4. c | 5. b | 6. c | 7. a | 8. c | 9. c | 10. a

Teacher's Insight

Douglas's story shows that fear is not always removed by a single act of courage. He learns swimming, but he still feels afraid when he is alone. He understands that learning a skill and overcoming a fear are not exactly the same thing.

The instructor helps him by breaking a difficult task into small steps. Douglas learns to breathe, move his legs and use his arms before combining the movements. This method gives him time to gain control and confidence. He also continues practising after formal lessons end.

Another important point is that Douglas does not ignore danger. He uses an instructor and safety equipment before testing himself in lakes. His courage grows through careful practice, not through careless risk-taking.

Classroom discussion: What is the difference between being brave and taking an unnecessary risk? Use Douglas's training and his later swimming tests to support your answer.

Tips for Exams

1. Keep short answers focused

For the “Think as You Read” questions, give the main fact or reason in one or two sentences. Do not retell the whole incident when the question asks for one detail.

2. Learn the stages of Douglas's fear

1. He is frightened by waves as a young child.
2. An older boy throws him into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool.
3. He nearly drowns and develops a lasting fear of water.
4. He hires an instructor and learns swimming step by step.
5. He tests himself in pools and lakes.
6. He finally feels free from the old terror.

3. Use details from the chapter

When explaining his panic, mention the yellow water, difficulty breathing, stiff limbs and repeated sinking. When explaining how he overcame fear, mention the instructor's methods and Douglas's continued practice.

4. Distinguish learning to swim from overcoming fear

The instructor teaches Douglas to swim, but Douglas continues practising because he still fears being alone in the water. His final tests in the lakes help him gain confidence that the old terror has gone.

5. Explain literary devices with their effects

Do not merely name a device. Explain how the writer's repetition, comparisons and physical details help the reader understand Douglas's panic.

6. Use the correct tense

When retelling the events, use the past tense. When explaining the chapter's message, the present tense is suitable. For example: “Douglas nearly drowned in the pool” and “The story shows the value of determination.”

7. Follow the word limit

Follow the word limit given in the question. Where no limit is given, keep factual answers brief and give more detail for questions that ask you to describe, explain or discuss.

Quick Revision

Topic	Key point
Author	William O. Douglas
Source	Of Men and Mountains
Early fear	Waves frightened Douglas when he was three or four years old.
The misadventure	An older boy threw him into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool.
Effect	Douglas developed a lasting fear of water.
Training	An instructor taught him swimming step by step.
Final tests	Douglas swam across Lake Wentworth and across Warm Lake and back.
Main theme	Fear can be overcome through practice, patience and determination.

Study note: These are model answers written in simple English. Students should read the prescribed NCERT chapter and answer in their own words. Personal-response questions may have different correct answers if they are clear and supported by reasons.

For exact textbook wording, check the edition of Flamingo prescribed by your school. The language activities above include supporting practice; use the original textbook instructions when completing the formal exercise.

Fiction, Chapter 3 - The Man Who Knew too Much - Class-IX English-A

Chapter-3

The Man Who Knew Too Much

Answer these questions-

Question- What is a nickname? Can you suggest another one for private Quelch?

Answer- a nickname is a name given to a person (except the real name) in any kind of feeling (affection, jealousy etc.) or which describes his or her traits.

         Another name for private Quelch can be ‘Mr. know all ’.

Question- Private Quelch looked like a ‘professor’ when the author first met him at the training depot. Why?

Answer- When the author first met him at the training depot, his lanky, stooping posture, his frown and his horn rimmed spectacles made him look like a professor.

Question- What does the dark sun dried appearance of the sergeant suggest about him?

Answer- The dark sun dried appearance of the sergeant suggests that he was very experienced and had dedicated his life to the army. He was not a man to be trifled with and knew his subject well.

Question- How was private Quelch’s knowledge exposed even further as the sergeant’s classes went on?

Answer- As the sergeant’s classes went on and he finished his lecture he questioned everybody including the professor. The professor answered every question with confidence and accuracy and thus, his knowledge was exposed even further.

Question- What did the professor meant by intelligent reading?

Answer- By intelligent reading the professor means to do a thorough study through observation and have as much knowledge about any subject as possible.

Question- What were the professor’s ambition in the army?

Answer- The professor wanted to get a commission in the army. His first step was to get a stripe.

Question- Did private Quelch’s day to day practices take him closer towards his goal? How can you make out?

Answer- Private Quelch was hardworking and intelligent with a clear goal. But his habit of exhibiting his knowledge in the hope of impressing was his backdrop. This habit of his was extremely irritating and the reason he was appointed to the back quarters of the kitchen.

Question- Describe corporal Turnbull.

Answer- Corporal Turnbull was a young officer who had come from Dunkirk. He was disciplined and the squad used to admire him a lot. His personality commanded respect and he was known for his toughness.

Question- How did Private Quelch manage to anger the corporal?

Answer- Private Quelch interrupted the corporal in the midst of his lecture and tried to correct him where he was already correct. Then he compared the corporal’s way with the way of another instructor and showed off as if he was an expert on the subject and thus, managed to anger the corporal.

Question- Do you think that private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties? Give reasons.

Answer- No, I don’t think private Quelch learnt his lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties because the write narrates over hearing him addressing the cooks about their unscientific method of peeling potatoes. This shows that he still used to show off his knowledge whenever he got the chance.

Want to check grammar for free? Try Free Grammar Checker.

Fiction, Chapter-2 - A Dog Named Duke - Class IX English-A

Chapter-2

A Dog Named Duke

William D. Elis

Answer these questions –

QUESTION- In 1953 Hooper was a favored young man. Explain.

ANSWER-This means that in 1953, Hooper had everything a man could ask for. He was healthy and fit. He was extremely successful in his job, was married and had his own home. He was liked by everyone and everything was going for him.

QUESTION- They said that they would create a desk job for him.

  (a) Who are ‘they’?

ANSWER -‘They’ refers to some men from the company in which Hooper worked.

(b) Why did they decide to do this?

ANSWER -They decided to do this because they knew that due to his accident chuck will not be able to move around ad work as he did earlier. So, they told him to take a year off and decided to create a desk job for him which not requiring much movement would have suited his circumstances.

QUESTION- Duke was an extra ordinary dog. What qualities did he exhibit to justify this?

ANSWER- Duke was an extra ordinary dog.

·       After the accident, he realized that chuck can’t maintain his balance and so he never jumped on his master again.

·       He understood that he can help his master to walk again.so, he dragged Hooper patiently and persistently and helped him gain back his endurance and strength.

·       When walking in the dark, Hooper would stay still until Hooper would trip and fall down, Duke would stay still until stood on his feet again.

All these instances prove that Duke was an intelligent, careful, tactful and responsible dog who helped his master not only to get back on his feet but also flourish in his career. These instances prove that Duke was an extra ordinary dog.

QUESTION- What problems did Chuck present when he returned to the company’s headquarters?

ANSWER- When Chuck returned back to the company’s headquarters neither could he work continuously for a long time nor could he write. This move of Hooper presented a problem because due to his condition , he was useless of his old job  of a salesman but nobody could tell him so because no one wanted to hurt his feelings after all his struggle to get back to work again.

QUESTION- Why do you think that Charles Hooper’s appointment as national assistant sales manager is considered a tribute to duke?

ANSWER- Charles Hooper’s appointment as national assistant sales manager is considered a tribute to duke because it was duke who taught him to cope with the challenge and accept the changed mode of life after his accident. Without Duke, Chuck would never have been able to walk, get back to his job, work hard and get promoted.

Fiction Chapter -1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class IX English-A

Chapter 1
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

Question- What made Triveni a popular writer?

Answer- Her style of writing and her convincing stories which dealt with the day to day life of ordinary people made Triveni a popular writer. People liked her and her stories because they could easily relate to her stories as they usually depicted the psychological problems people face in their day to day life.

Question- Why did grandmother depend on the granddaughter to know the story?

Answer- Grandmother depended on her granddaughter to know the story because she was an uneducated lady who never went to school and so she didn’t know how to read or write.

Question- Pick out two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know what happened in the story.

Answer- Two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know the story are-

1.    “I waited eagerly for you to return.”   

2.    During that time she would forget all her work and listen with the greatest concentration.

Question-Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?

Answer- Yes, the grandmother succeeded in accomplishing her desire to read by working very hard, doing lots of homework, reading, writing, reciting, repeating and being determined to continue and accomplish her goal of learning the Kannada alphabets.

Question- Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother?

Answer- The following traits are relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother-

         (i) Determined- grandmother was a determined lady as she set the goal and decided to keep Saraswati pooja day as the deadline and was able to accomplish her goal in spite of many obstacles.

         (ii) Emotional- grandmother was an emotional lady as when her granddaughter was not with her she felt sad and helpless. When her granddaughter returned and she related her story and helplessness she got emotional and cried.

Question- Write the character sketch of grandmother.

Answer- The main character in the story ‘how I taught my grandmother to read’ written by Sudha Murty is Krishtakka, the grandmother of the writer. Of sixty-two years with grey hairs and wrinkled hands. She worked a lot in the kitchen as she enjoyed feeding her children and grandchildren a lot. The writer states that she had not seen her grandmother cry even in the most difficult situation which shows that she had a strong-willed character.

She was a very determined lady as she didn’t give up in spite of all obstacles when she decided to learn the Kannada language. She was also very diligent and hardworking as the amount of homework she did was amazing. She decided to learn the Kannada language so that she could read independently. This shows that she possessed an independent spirit. She was also very religious and pious as she obeyed her holy scriptures and respected her teacher (granddaughter) irrespective of her age.